Takekoma Forest Revitalization Project

This project was undertaken by Takekoma Shrine, one of Japan's three major Inari shrines, to create a vibrant community. Our company played a central role, forming a tripartite team involving the shrine, the local community, and our company. The team's work was broadly divided into five areas: "maintenance of the shrine's sacred grove," "establishment of a café," "revitalization of the local community," "promotion," and "creation of a new festival." Our company provided comprehensive production services, including planning, logo concept design, design administration, landscape concept design, construction, exterior work, café opening support, café menu development, product development, video production, and public relations. Our goal was to ensure that Takekoma Shrine continues to exist as an indispensable part of the lives of the citizens, in a sustainable way, for the future.

〇 Overall production details
① Identify customer challenges ② Develop solutions ③ Consider implementation (operation) structure ④ Establish implementation (operation) structure (leasing) ⑤ concept design based on the opinions of the shrine and operators ⑥ Product development (food and beverage menu, selection of products for sale) ⑦ Consider revitalizing the entire shrine ⑧ Create a promotional video for the entire shrine ⑨ Consider promoting the café ⑩ Plan the opening ceremony ⑪ Attract various media outlets ⑫ Implement PDCA after opening ⑬ Create a new festival ⑭ Send a global promotional video overseas
By gathering supporters from our network (primarily local businesses), we have established a system that can operate independently.

① Because the shrine has coexisted and prospered together with the local community, we want to revive the "connections with the community" that have weakened during the COVID-19 pandemic.
②We would like to come up with new measures to ensure that our shrine is chosen by worshippers, even as times change.
3) Because shrines were once the centers of communities and local culture, we want to enhance and promote their value as key elements of the local community in a way that is suited to the modern era.
There were more requests than this.

Initially, this project started with consultation on the renovation of the shrine around the precincts. In order to solve the problems that became apparent through repeated conversations with the shrine and the shrine, we came to the conclusion that a new approach in terms of architecture and system is necessary. For this reason, we decided to set up a new building facing the approach and build a new facility that will be the core of the local community. The concept of the new facility was to "evoke" the concept of the new facility, and while strictly adhering to the hierarchy with the main shrine at the top, we maintained the shrine forest with the intention of incorporating and making use of the sacred atmosphere unique to the historical buildings and shrines in the precincts. In addition, by being in this place, we aimed to create a place where people can be freed from everyday life and healed, and to evoke the original sensibilities of people who are losing them before they know it. During construction, it was necessary to cut down some of the trees on the site, but by upcycling them as beams and furniture, they are connected to the space creation unique to this shrine.
In terms of system, Takekoma Shrine has nurtured a long history with the local community and celebrated its 1182th anniversary. Believing that local power is essential to pass on to the next leader, we collaborated with 24 companies based in Miyagi Prefecture, including architectural construction, landscaping, local forestry associations, product development, menu development, café business companies, video production, and events. As in other regional cities, Iwanuma City is becoming more aware of issues related to local communities, and as a solution, we worked with local event companies to plan and hold events such as "Bon Odori" and "Lantern Festival". In addition, we are currently planning a new festival, "One Grain Ten Thousand Times Festival". In order to further enliven Iwanuma City, we will continue and promote initiatives to "provide a place for residents," "strengthen relationships with the community," and "disseminate new local culture."